AP source: Maryland places strength coach on leave

The Associated Press

Saturday

Aug 11, 2018 at 5:16 PM

Maryland placed the head of the football team's strength and conditioning staff on paid leave while it investigates claims he verbally abused and humiliated players, a person briefed on the situation said Saturday.

Maryland placed the head of the football team's strength and conditioning staff on paid leave while it investigates claims he verbally abused and humiliated players, a person briefed on the situation said Saturday.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Maryland had not announced the decision regarding Rick Court. The person said athletic director Damon Evans spoke with the football team Saturday morning and that head coach DJ Durkin was still leading the program. The football team practiced with Durkin.

Maryland has also placed two athletic training staffers it did not identify on leave as it investigates the death of Jordan McNair. The 19-year-old offensive lineman was hospitalized May 29 after a team workout and died June 13. Dr. Rod Walters, a former college athletic trainer, has been hired by Maryland to investigate the circumstances. A report is expected by Sept. 15. McNair's parents are being represented by Baltimore attorney Bill Murphy, whose firm is also investigating.

ESPN reported that head football athletic trainer Wes Robinson and director of athletic training Steve Nordwall were placed on leave by Maryland.

An ESPN story Friday quoted unidentified players, former players and former members of Durkin's staff, who contended Court and Durkin created a toxic culture within the program.

Durkin is starting his third season at Maryland. The 40-year-old former Michigan defensive coordinator is 11-15 in two seasons after receiving a five-year, contract worth $12.5 million in December 2015. The Baltimore Sun reported that Durkin sent a letter to parents of the Maryland players before the ESPN story was published. Durkin said in the letter he would be available to address any of the parents' concerns.

"Our priority every day is the safety along with the academic, personal and athletic development of your sons," the letter said.

Durkin brought Court to Maryland to lead the strength and conditioning staff in 2016. Court had been the head strength coach at Mississippi State since 2014 under coach Dan Mullen. Court also worked with Durkin at Bowling Green in 2005 and '06, when Durkin was an assistant.

Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald was supportive of Court. Fitzgerald's first two seasons with the Bulldogs coincided with Court's time leading the strength program at the school.

"He worked us hard," Fitzgerald told AP. "They were definitely tough workouts, but ultimately he wasn't out to get anybody. He wasn't out to hurt anyone. His job is to make us physically fit and ready for the season and that's exactly what he did. From what I remember, he never really went over the line or did anything crazy like that."

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